Improvement in photograph-cutters



UNITED ATES PATENT OFFion.

IMPROVEMENT IN PHOTOGRAPH-CUTTERS.

Specication forming part of Letters Patent No. 121,198, dated November 21, 1871; antedated November 18, 1871.

To all 'whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, STILLMAN W. ROBINSON, of Champaign, Champaign county, State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Photograph-Trimmer, of which the following is a specifieation:

The main feature of my invention relates to the combination of a bed-plate of glass, a guidepattern cut in thin plate metal, and a severingroller formed of hardened steel or agate, the latter having a stunt V-shaped periphery, which, when moved along under pressure upon the bedplate, will easily sever paper, whether dry or wet,'by crushing or detruding it off, instead of cutting; and thus by following` a guide-pattern,

- which it Awill easily do when having a dull or blunt edge, will neatly trim off the superfluous edges of photographs preparatory to their being mounted upon card-board by the artist. The objects of the invention are to furnish a convenient, ecient, and durable piece of apparatus, in small compass,for trimming photographsapparatus which shall be so simple as to require no more care and attention in use or idle than the knife used by many artists for trimming, and the small cost of which will render it available toall.

Figure l is a vertical projection of the principal piece of the apparatus, showing the handle and a side view ofthe severing-roller, with some parts removed for exhibiting the interior construction. Fig. 2 presents an edge View of the roller and its blunt edge. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the roller, bed-plate, and guide-pattern in the act of trimming a photograph. Figs. 4 and 5 show two different forms of the guide-pattern A is the severing-roller, made of hardened steel or agate, with stunt or dull periphery, as shown at a, Fig. 2. I, Fig. 3, is a bed-plate of glass, upon which the dull edge of the roller moves, under pressure, to sever the paper. H and H are two of many different-shaped guide-patterns, made in thin plate metal. It should be clearly understood at the outset that the edge a of the roller is not intended to be a sharp-cutting edge like a knife-edge, making a cutting-roller which I am aware has been used for a long time for cutting leather upon a wooden block. Such a roller, indeed, cannot be used here, because it would cut into the abruptly-curved guide-patterns, and not only injure them, but destroy its own keen cutting-edge. The wooden block required for the sharp-edged roller would also be objectionable, as the roller would press into it slightly, and leave the edge of the trimmed photograph bent down. The cutter would also require frequent sharpening, even if cutting paper free of a guide-pattern, and when idle would require to be carefully protected from injury 5 but by combining the dull-edged roller and glass plate, all these objections are wholly removed. Upon this combination depends the entire practicablity of the trimming apparatus, which also constitutes the chief feature of the invention.

The dull roller, acting upon the plate which so neatly and easily severs photographic paper and gives to the trimmed photograph such a beautiful edge, cannot be used for cutting thicker materials, as felt, leather, 8vo., as the pressure required would be too great to be imparted by the hand. The two kinds of apparatus, therefore, each of which, is much best .adapted for its own respective use, are quite distinct from each other.

The roller A is held in the fork B, the latter having a cylindrical projection, (l, entering loosely the socket D. D is made fast in the handle F, by means of which the tool is manipulated by the artist. The screw E enters an annular groove around C, and prevents the latter from falling out. When E is tight upon O, the latter is held rigidly in the handle 5 but 4when E is turned back slightly, (l will revolve in the socket. Fig. 3 shows the operation of trimming a photograph, which is explained as follows: The photograph J, either wet or dry, is placed upon the glass plate with the desired pattern H so adjusted upon it as to give a correct trimming, and pressed down by the fingers. The severing-tool, with E loosened so that O will revolve, is then taken in the other hand, and made to follow the pattern once around, which neatly and quickly trims the photograph.

This apparatus is admirably adapted to trimming wet photographic prints, just as they are taken from the rinsing-bath, as artists often desire to do 5 and compared with punch-blocks or dies, punch-presses, Ste., which have heretofore been in use, is light, inexpensive, durable, not likely to get out of order 5 easily manipulated or transported; requires no particular attention,

either when in use or lying by, to prevent its being dulled or damaged; requires no sharpening or repairs; is very Convenient for use; and is always ready. These qualities, which have been proved by an actual test by a wholesale artist oi large experience, must commend it to artists generally.

When E is tight, the roller and plate may be found a useful appli anee for general paper-trimming.

I do not olaiin, broadly, a circular cutter, as I am aware that sh arp-edged eiroular cutters have been used for other purposes. I am also aware that dull-edged ereasers have been Vused in paper-cutting machines, but not in an instrument like mine to be operated by hand. Neither do I ela-im7 broadly, the swivel-joint in the shank, as I am aware that glaziers7 diamonds have been formed with a swivel-joint for the purpose of allowing a partial rotation of the shank 5 but What I do claim is- The combination and arrangement of the dulledged roller A, the shank B C, provided with the annular groove, the set-screw E, soeket D, and handle F, forming a photograph-trimmer to operate by detrusion or pressure, in combination with the pattern or guide, all as herein shown and described.

STILLMAN W. ROBINSON.

Witnesses:

Trios. A. REED,

ALEXR. THOMSON. (109) 

